Several students from the Rockdale Career Academy were recently honored by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson as top performers in Johnson’s Congressional App Challenge.

The Congressional App Challenge encourages students to create an app of some sort for mobile, tablet or computer devices.

“It’s so important that our young people see what the future is,” Johnson said in a press release. “Today, our kids heard from Ryan Kilgore, a Cartoon Network game developer, who is working in an industry that generates over $100 billion. These are the kinds of top-earning professions that the App Challenge gives our kids exposure to. We must continue to support our educators and parents who encourage their kids to compete in the App Challenge.”

A three-student team from Rockdale Career Academy, Gabrielle Wood, Nakira Oglesby and Brittany Valencia, placed second in the challenge for their “One Aid” medical app. Third place also went to an app from Rockdale Career Academy. Cameron Bennett placed in third for his music app “Auxilla,” which, according to a press release from Johnson’s office, was inspired from a program he attended that was sponsored by Gov. Nathan Deal, as well as brainstorming with friends about similar technologies.

Bennett is developing other apps and has been accepted to Georgia Tech and Stanford University.

A total of 75 students entered the contest, which was won by Jonathan Daniel, a Lithonia resident who attends the Georgia Cyber Academy.

The participants of the Congressional App Challenge were honored at a reception at the Fernbank Science Center on Feb. 3, and each of the top three placers will tour iHeart Radio Studios, Georgia State University, Cartoon Network and attend a Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets basketball game.